Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime - Chapter 11

Finding and preserving digital evidence is difficult and expensive due to the complexity, encryption, and self-destructive programs used by criminals.

Gathering information, determining the scene's needs, and considering potential risks to evidence are necessary steps before investigating a digital crime scene.

A legal document needed to search for digital evidence. Computer experts and lawyers must prepare it, demonstrating probable cause of a crime and evidence's location.

Justifying the seizure of computer equipment legally. This includes all hardware and storage devices, legally obtained evidence and items with criminal links, without needing a warrant in specific cases.

A necessary legal standard to prove evidence of criminal activity exists, with a particular location as the source. Proven criminal activity and existing evidence are needed.

No-knock warrants can be used in exigent circumstances, which include the nature of the offense, potential evidence destruction, the sophistication of the target, and the absence of the resident.

Secondary or multiple warrants are necessary when searching for different types of evidence, especially when a search for one type of evidence leads to finding evidence of a different crime.

SMEAC is a military order format used for planning pre-search activities, outlining the situation, mission, execution, avenues of approach and escape, and communication plans.

A digital crime scene team typically includes a case supervisor, arrest team, scene security team, interview and interrogation team, sketch and photo team, physical search team, and seizure team.

Essential tools include evidence tape, packing tape, evidence storage containers, antistatic bags, conductive bags, and Faraday bags.

Recording the state of the digital crime scene through photographs, videos, and sketches, ensuring evidence integrity and supporting legal proceedings.

A meticulous record detailing the handling and possession of evidence from the crime scene to court, ensuring its authenticity and traceability.

Beyond computers, look for non-digital evidence like notes, printouts, or even the type of paper used, connecting the suspect to the crime scene.

Investigate potential evidence related to the suspect, including clothing, wallets, phones, and even trash for clues.

Investigate internal components like hard drives and peripherals, potentially revealing crucial evidence relating to the crime.

A pre-search activity is a task performed before actually searching a digital crime scene. It involves planning, gathering essential tools, and ensuring safety, so the investigator is prepared to collect evidence effectively.

Essential pre-search materials include: writing tools, labels, note cards, sanitary supplies, flashlights, a contact list, transport units, wireless communication devices, camera equipment, tools like screwdrivers and pliers, and a hammer.

Computer-specific pre-search equipment includes multiple boot disks, backup hardware, new hard drives, a color scanner, a color printer, antivirus software, imaging software, and application software.

Forensic software refers to programs used specifically for digital investigations. These include viewers, text and hex editors, password crackers, verification software, time and date programs, wiping programs, and dedicated forensic software like EnCase and FTK.

Other essential pre-search equipment includes extra cables, serial port connectors, gender changers, extension cords, power strips, surge protectors, UPS, and an open purchase order.

Forensic investigation in cybercrime aims to legally uncover and secure digital evidence from the crime scene.

Digital evidence is fragile, easily altered, and can be very large, making it difficult to collect, preserve, and analyze.

Pre-search activities are steps taken before a digital crime scene is searched, including planning, gathering tools, and assessing the scene's risks.

SMEAC is a military planning tool used for pre-search activities, outlining the situation, mission, execution, avenues of approach, and communication plan.

A warrant allowing law enforcement to enter without knocking, used in urgent situations where evidence destruction or suspect harm is likely.

Additional warrants issued when searching for different types of evidence during a single investigation.

A planning framework used for pre-search activities, outlining situation, mission, execution, approach/escape, and communication.

A team responsible for safeguarding the digital crime scene, ensuring evidence is protected and undisturbed.

Special bags that block wireless signals, used to protect electronic devices from remote data deletion or corruption.

Before investigating a digital crime scene, it's crucial to gather information, determine the scene's needs, and consider risks to evidence. This helps investigators collect evidence effectively and minimize the chance of contamination.

A legal standard proving that evidence of criminal activity exists and is likely located in a specific place. You need proof of a crime and compelling reason to believe evidence exists at a particular location.

The initial steps for serving a warrant are: 1) Knock, 2) Notice, and 3) Document. This ensures proper procedure and protects the legal rights of the individuals involved.

Securing a digital crime scene involves 1) dealing with immediate threats, 2) locating and securing all computers, 3) removing individuals from the evidence area, 4) determining network connections, 5) disabling network access, and 6) protecting computers with police officers. This ensures the integrity and preservation of digital evidence.

External specialists, such as computer forensics experts, may be required when dealing with complex computer systems such as mainframes, minicomputers, or specialized hacking computers. They provide specialized knowledge and skills for retrieving and analyzing data.

Documentation at a digital crime scene should include: 1) Date, time and description of computers, including any damage, 2) Identification of all investigative personnel, 3) Identifying information of witnesses and suspects, 4) All investigative clues, and 5) Investigative software used. This ensures evidence integrity and accountability.

Proper documentation is crucial in digital crime scenes to ensure evidence integrity, support legal proceedings, and prevent legal challenges. It provides a complete and accurate record of the scene and the evidence found.

Digital evidence can easily be altered or destroyed through accidental or intentional changes. Actions like turning on a computer or accessing files can modify crucial data.

SMEAC is a military planning tool used for pre-search activities. It stands for Situation, Mission, Execution, Avenues of Approach and Escape, and Communication.

A no-knock warrant lets law enforcement enter a location without knocking. It's used in emergencies where evidence destruction or suspect harm is likely.

Secondary warrants are additional orders to search for different types of evidence during the same investigation.

Documentation is crucial in digital crime scenes. It creates a detailed record of every action, preserving evidence integrity, supporting legal proceedings, and preventing challenges.

Digital evidence is easily altered or destroyed, even accidentally, making it fragile and requiring careful handling.

Pre-search planning helps gather information, determine the scene's needs, and consider evidence risks, allowing for more effective and safe evidence collection.

A military planning tool used for pre-search activities, outlining the situation, mission, execution, avenues of approach, and communication plans.

External specialists, such as forensic experts, are needed when dealing with complex computer systems or specialized hacking computers, providing specialized knowledge and skills.

The team members involved in a digital crime scene investigation, each with specific roles and responsibilities.

A collection of essential equipment needed for securing and investigating a digital crime scene.

Document the date, time, and description of computers, any damage, identify all personnel, witnesses, and suspects, all investigative clues, and software used.

Necessary hardware and software needed for digital investigations, including boot disks, new drives, scanners, printers, and forensic software.

Special programs used for digital evidence analysis, including viewers, editors, password crackers, and dedicated forensic software for examining data.

A military planning method used for pre-search activities, outlining the situation, mission, execution, approach, and communication plan.

Experts with specialized knowledge and skills, often called in for complex computer systems or specific areas of digital investigations.

Faraday bags are used to block wireless signals and protect electronic devices from remote data deletion or corruption.

Digital evidence is easily altered or destroyed, even unintentionally. Actions like turning on a computer or accessing files can modify crucial data.

Documentation is crucial in digital crime scenes. It creates a detailed record of every action, preserving evidence integrity, supporting legal proceedings, and preventing challenges.

The initial three steps for serving a search warrant, ensuring proper procedure and protecting the legal rights of individuals involved.

The process of protecting the scene, including dealing with immediate threats, securing computers, removing personnel, and managing network connections.

Capturing visual evidence of the scene, including computers, peripherals, and any other relevant items. Crucial to demonstrate the unaltered state of evidence.

Creating a diagram of the scene, showing the positions of computers, cables, and other relevant items. This provides a clear visual representation of the space.

Evidence found at the scene that isn't digital, such as notes, printouts, or even the type of paper used. Can connect the suspect to the crime.

Investigate potential evidence related to the suspect, including clothing, wallets, phones, and even trash for clues. Can link them directly to the crime.

Investigate internal components like hard drives and peripherals, potentially revealing crucial evidence relating to the crime.